Effectiveness of an online tailored intervention on determinants and behaviour to prevent ­running related sports injuries: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective. Sports injuries are one of the most common injuries in the modern Western society. In line with the increased interest in eHealth, a tailor-based online injury prevention intervention was developed to influence determinants and actual sports injury preventive behaviour. An effect study was carried out among runners. Methods. Runners between 18 and 35 years were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=109) or control group (n=105). Participants in the intervention group were invited to visit the website for 30 minutes. Those in the control group were invited to read magazines that did not contain information about running, injuries or other sport related issues for 30 minutes. Online questionnaires were completed just before (T0) and immediately after the intervention (T1), and after 3 months (T2). Outcome measures were knowledge, risk perception, attitude, intention and injury prevention behaviour. Results. Immediately after the intervention (T1) an effect was found on all outcome measures. After three months (T2) the effect remained only for behaviours relating to warm-up and frequency of shoe replacement. Conclusion. Short-term (3 months) effects were demonstra­ted on determinants and actual performance of sports injury prevention behaviour. These results confirm the value of online tailored interventions for the dissemination of injury prevention knowledge.

The effectiveness of an online intervention in stimulating injury-preventive behaviour in adult novice runners. Results of a randomised controlled trial.

“…In previous literature, a 13% increase in injury-preventive behaviour among recreational adult runners (in this case, the inclusion of a warm-up) was found during a three-month follow-up period. [13] Therefore, in this study, it was hypothesised that the Runfitcheck intervention could lead to a 10% difference in favourable injury-preventive behaviour in the intervention group in comparison to the control group. A choice was made to use the word 'difference' instead of 'increase', as a difference between the two groups was considered as more important than only an increase.…”

“…Participants within the intervention group obtained access to the Runfitcheck intervention. [13] No further conditions were applied to the use of the intervention. The Runfitcheck intervention was developed according to an evidence-based (Knowledge Transfer Scheme and Intervention Mapping) and practice-based (running experts) approach to stimulate injury-preventive behaviour among novice runners.…”

“…[11] To stimulate favourable injury-preventive behaviour in novice runners, such as performing a warm-up and cool -down routine, adjusting running volume/intensity, and responding to body signals (listening to your body), some interventions have recently been developed and have been used by runners with promising results, leading even to the prevention of RRIs. [12,13] Hespanhol et al showed that online tailored injury-preventive advice led to a reduction of RRIs among trail runners. [12] The intervention developed by Adriaensens et al was effective in stimulating injury-preventive behaviour among runners [13] , but was time-consuming.A new online intervention ('Runfitcheck') was developed to stimulate injury-preventive behaviour among novice runners.…”

“…[12,13] Hespanhol et al showed that online tailored injury-preventive advice led to a reduction of RRIs among trail runners. [12] The intervention developed by Adriaensens et al was effective in stimulating injury-preventive behaviour among runners [13] , but was time-consuming.A new online intervention ('Runfitcheck') was developed to stimulate injury-preventive behaviour among novice runners. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Runfitcheck on injury-preventive behaviour among adult novice runners.…”

“…[12,13] Hespanhol et al showed that online tailored injury-preventive advice led to a reduction of RRIs among trail runners. [12] The intervention developed by Adriaensens et al was effective in stimulating injury-preventive behaviour among runners [13] , but was time-consuming.…”